2017 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2017 Toyota Corolla

The VW Jetta has been Volkswagen's best selling car in the United States for many years — and for good reason. It offers high-performance turbocharged engine choices, excellent fuel economy, a spacious interior and trunk and a multitude of premium features, making it a top choice for the compact sedan segment. One of the Jetta's major competitors is the Toyota Corolla. Let's see how these two compact sedans measure up in this 2017 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2017 Toyota Corolla comparison.

Despite the Jetta's classification as a compact car, Volkswagen ingeniously engineered it to maximize interior space. It offers an impressive rear-seat legroom of 38.1 inches. The gently arcing roofline also means more than ample headroom of 37.1 inches for rear-seat passengers. The Jetta also offers 15.5 cu-ft of usable trunk space, which can be increased by folding forward the 60/40-split rear seatback. In comparison, the Corolla only offers 13.0 cu-ft of trunk space. Additionally, the 2017 Jetta comes well-equipped with many advanced technology features, including the state-of-the-art MIB II infotainment system, which includes USB and VW-Car Net App-Connect, allowing owners to access select apps from their smartphones directly through the Jetta's head unit.

Test Drive the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta in Orange County CA

The 2017 Jetta has the advantage for performance as well. Turbocharged engines come standard in the new Jetta, from the efficient 1.4-liter TSI to the more powerful 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged variants. The base 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI easily outperforms the base 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine in Corolla with horsepower/torque numbers of 150/184, compared to only 132/128 for the Corolla. Also, the Jetta 1.4T delivers an exceptional highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, compared to 37 mpg for the Corolla. All Jetta models are fitted with a strut-type front suspension with coil springs, telescopic dampers and an anti-roll bar, helping give it more agile, responsive and precise handling. Additionally, the GLI also features, as standard, the impressive XDS Cross Differential System.

Another strength of the Jetta is its advanced safety features. Safety starts with a stiff and rigid bodyshell constructed using seamless laser welding and high-strength steel in key areas. Also standard on all Jetta models are driver and front passenger front and side thorax airbags and Side Curtain Protection airbags front and rear. There is also a standard suite of advanced electronic safety features, such as Anti-lock Braking, Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, Electronic Stability Control and Hydraulic Brake Assist. Also, the Jetta's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System applies the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage. With all of the advantages and impressive features of the Jetta, it's easy to see why it's a superior choice for compact car. Here at Capistrano Volkswagen, we warmly welcome Orange County car shoppers to come test drive the 2017 VW Jetta!